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Classic French Beef Stew with Mushrooms Ingredients: 3 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch pieces 6 slices bacon, chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped 3 carrots, sliced 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 cups beef broth 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 lb mushrooms, quartered 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 bouquet garni (thyme, bay leaves, parsley) Salt and pepper to taste Directions: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Brown the beef in batches in the same pot. Remove and set aside with the bacon. In the same pot, add the onion, carrots, and garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat, scraping the bottom of the pot. Return the beef and bacon to the pot. Add the tomato paste and bouquet garni. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 2 hours. In a separate pan, sauté the mushrooms in a bit of oil until golden. Add to the stew in the last 30 minutes of cooking.